Boston Bruins rookie camp opens Wednesday at the Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, Mass. and with it, the first real event of the B’s 2021-22 season.
Twenty-three players will practice here for two days before traveling to Buffalo, N.Y., for the annual Prospects Challenge event being held at the LECOM HarborCenter. After holding a team practice there on Sep. 17, the Boston prospects will faceoff against Buffalo Sabres rookies Sat., Sep. 18 at 3 p.m. They will then play the New Jersey Devils on Sunday at 1 p.m.
This is the sixth year that the Bruins have sent their future hopefuls to Buffalo to compete against other young prospects from other teams. In 2013, the B’s went to Coral Gables, Fla., where they faced future NHL superstars Nikita Kucherov and Sasha Barkov in a similar rookie tournament format hosted by the Florida Panthers. Dougie Hamilton was the highest-profile Boston prospect who participated in that event.
The 2021 rookie roster features a mix of signed and unsigned draft picks, players on AHL contracts and several prospects attending as invites, in former major junior/CHL forwards Marc Boudreau (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds- OHL), Jacob Hudson (Moncton Wildcats- QMJHL) and Noah Dorey (Kelowna Rockets- WHL).
On this week's episode of NEHJ's RinkWise podcast, host Kirk Luedeke welcomes local hockey reporter Mark Divver to discuss the top prospects in the Bruins system. In addition to the link above, the podcast is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
With Boston’s main camp a little over a week away from getting started, this primer identifies some of the key rookies who are among the organization’s best options for the future and breaks down how they might leverage their skills/experience to make a positive impression this week.
Why these forwards will make an impact
Jakub Lauko, LW, 6-0/190; The explosive and dynamic Lauko was Boston’s third-round selection in 2018 and is one of the most experienced prospects on the roster. Entering his third pro/AHL season, this will likely be his last go-round in the rookie event, but his playing style is well suited in this format. Boston coaches will seek to exploit favorable matchups to use his blinding speed to turn opposing defenders who might lack the experience and familiarity to contain him when he drives through the outside and middle lanes.
Lauko lacks high-end hands/pure skill to be a top scorer, which also explains why he fell to the third round in his draft season, but he’s still the kind of player who has a chance to become an NHL regular because he’s so fast and can play up and down in the lineup.
He also has a personality that is similar to that of David Pastrnak, and the B’s likely understand that getting No. 88 to mentor him as much as possible can only be a good thing, much like the relationship that Boston’s star right wing had with David Krejci.
Oskar Steen, RW, 5-9/180; Like Lauko, Steen is not only experienced in the AHL with Providence (and three NHL games in Boston), but also has five pro seasons in Sweden (and Slovakia) under his belt. He’s a powerful skater who can finish, with a sneaky release that catches goaltenders off guard. He gets to the net with a low center of gravity and strong, thick legs that allow him to roll off of body contact and maintain his balance.
While there appears to be no room for Steen to realistically make the NHL roster at the end of the main camp and preseason schedule, he’s an intriguing prospect. He’s scored 29 goals in his last 62 pro games in Sweden, which at least statistically at that level translates into a solid middle of the lineup player at this level. There isn’t a lot of room at the inn right now, but when inevitable injuries happen or if some players fail to meet expectations, don’t be surprised to see Steen get one of the first chances to go up.
Matt Filipe, C, 6-2/198; The Lynnfield, Mass. native and Northeastern captain opted for free agency in 2020 instead of signing with Carolina, who drafted him in 2016. A former Malden Catholic state champion, Filipe is a rugged, heavy two-way forward who can play either center or wing positions and provides reliability and character in a support role. He grew up cheering for the Bruins and has a chance to fulfill his dream at some point. His AHL development was derailed by an upper body injury last spring, but he’s back and ready to take the next step.
Watch these guys
Fabian Lysell, RW, 5-11/172; A lot of eyes will be on Boston’s top forward prospect and first-round selection in July. He’s been in British Columbia attending Vancouver Giants (WHL) camp but will travel to Boston and give the team and fans their first look at the electric Swede. A world class skater, Lysell also has nifty hands and the ability to break games open, as he was a catalyst in his country’s upset of Team USA in the World Under-18 Championship in May with a two-goal game. He is a bit of a wild, untamed colt in the way he flies around the ice, but he has things you can’t teach, and assuming he plays major junior out West, will put up a lot of points for the Giants.
Jesper Froden, RW, 5-9/165; The oldest of the B’s rooks at age 26 (he turns 27 next week), the undrafted free agent signing by Boston this summer is an under-the-radar type who has spent eight seasons playing pro hockey in his native Sweden. He’s an elusive two-way forward and late-bloomer who will give Providence some real experience and extra offensive punch up front.
Curtis Hall, C, 6-2/214; The former Yale standout looks to get his pro career back in gear after COVID resulted in his leaving school early. He’s a capable defensive presence who will need time and patience to develop before he’s ready to push for a spot in Boston, but has the size, intelligence and all-around skill set to be a sound role player at the NHL level.
Defensemen to key on
Jack Ahcan, left shot, 5-8/185; Undrafted free agent had a strong AHL campaign after signing with the Bruins out of St. Cloud State, even getting a few NHL games in. Although undersized, he has the speed, intelligence and skills to be a focal point of the rookie roster’s back end. Watch for him to skate pucks out of danger on his own and quarterback the PP.
Brady Lyle, right shot, 6-2/210; A potential diamond-in-the-rough find for Boston, the former OHL star has taken full advantage in the offseason to build up his body and continue to hone his skills as a hard-shooting two-way defenseman. Inexplicably not drafted, Lyle had an impressive run (albeit in a limited schedule) with Providence, prompting the Bruins to get him on an NHL deal when other teams started sniffing around.
J.D. Greenway, left shot, 6-5/215; Signed to an AHL contract after the B’s acquired his rights from Toronto over the summer, the younger brother of Minnesota Wild power forward Jordan Greenway has tremendous NHL tools. He’s big, has smooth and fluid feet, can handle pucks with aplomb and at times makes it look easy with the way he can kickstart the transition game or close off opposing forwards from getting to the net. At other times, the University of Maine product makes questionable decisions and turns pucks over in the wrong spots. There is upside here, and Ryan Mougenel in Providence will be the right coach to help him get his development on track.
Watch this guy
Victor Berglund, right shot, 6-0/180; The 195th selection in 2017 is a P.J. Axelsson project who was always a top flight skater but has improved his all-around game in the four years since being drafted by Boston. He might take some time to assert himself, but along with Ahcan and Lyle, he gives Mougenel and Co. options for special teams play and the AHL squad some experienced (in European pro) and skilled depth.
Goaltending: It’s all about Keyser
Although the B’s are bringing in Jeremy Brodeur (whose father, Martin, needs no introduction), Kyle Keyser (6-2/190) is the goalie in Boston’s system who will get the lion’s share of focus and attention after battling injuries in his first couple of pro campaigns.
The undrafted free agent out of the Oshawa Generals (he and Brodeur both played for the Gennies, with Keyser backing up Brodeur in 2016-17) has the size, athletic component and a battler’s mentality. With Jeremy Swayman up in Boston, Keyser will get the nod in Providence to split the duties with Troy Grosenick for the time being.
Grit factor
The Bruins are bringing with them a couple of rugged customers in forward Ian McKinnon and defenseman Nick Wolff, both of whom skated in Providence last season. Wolff is always a willing dance partner, and serves as more of a deterrent than anything else. We don’t expect much of the rough stuff in this environment, but you never know.
Winning formula
B’s rookie roster forward Lauko and goaltender Brodeur won Memorial Cups with Rouyn-Noranda (2019) and Oshawa (2015) respectively. Former University of Maine forward Eduards Tralmaks and University of North Dakota defenseman Andrew Peski captured the USHL’s Clark Cup with Chicago (2017) and Tri-City Storm (2016). Filipe won Hockey East and Beanpot trophies with Northeastern. Winners win.
Outlook
The Boston Bruins rookie roster lacks the pure star power of other teams who have benefited from multiple and early draft picks in recent seasons that the Sabres and Devils both have enjoyed.
However, the B’s have some experienced veteran pros who are older, more seasoned and might give the roster an unexpected edge against some of the younger, flashier (on paper) opposing lineups. Regardless, the rookie camp is always a good way for NHL teams to ramp up the camp and preseason, and every year, there are players who use the opportunity to improve their standing within the organization.
